Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said the news the education sector was facing ‘cost pressures’ of more than £100 million in the forthcoming year is reason alone for the return of a functioning Executive.

Mr Lyttle was speaking after the warning came in a letter from a senior civil servant at the Department of Education, who stated the Department had £24 million less to spend than the previous academic year.

“The alarm bells have been ringing in this sector for some time, so this news is unfortunately not much of a surprise,” he said.

“I recently met with senior civil servants to discuss this developing crisis and to seek assurances about financial investment in education. This concerning news shows the direct impact a lack of a functioning Executive and a Minister being held to account is having on our young people’s education.

“This news comes as a further blow to the education sector, with the recent pressures put on the Curriculum Sports Programme also serving as a warning.”